The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every family, especially with young children, should have this little book in its home. I thought and read a lot about Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. and his ideas. Still, as I read this little book, I could not stop wondering what I would have been able to accomplish had I read the messages of this book when I was younger. Regrets aside, I feel so calmly inspired to do something good for someone else! After all, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, `What are you doing for others?' . " Moreover, to serve others "you only need a heart full of grace, [and] a soul generated by love" (p. 17). All seven chapters of the book are insightful, and the introduction and chronology of events before and after the death of Dr. King, Jr are equally valuable reading. It is hard, very hard ,to read the `I've been to the mountain top' and `I have a dream' speeches without a lump of sadness in one's throat. But in reading the "Proclamation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1986" as a national public holiday by President Ronald Reagan , one gets a sense that America has finally turned into a more inclusive direction for all its people. The election of Barrack Obama to the US Presidency is a further step in the same direction. A fascinating, inspirational, some time very deep reading. Highly recommended! Amavilah, Author Modeling Determinants of Income in Embedded Economies ISBN: 1600210465 ISBN: 1600210465 Quotable Arthur Schopenhauer ISBN: 9781430324959

I was perusing through my bookshelf today, and stumbled across a very old edition of this book, "The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr." Well I'd always noticed it here and there - but today I actually read it. It's fantastic. It's something else. He was a genius before his time - yet he managed to stand up, at the right time. Each excerpt makes you think. Very deep and moving. Powerful. I highly recommend this book.

This book is a small compilation of quotes from Dr. King's writings and speeches. It's never a bad idea to honor the civil rights leaders and martyrs by reading literature that would again remind us of their struggle. Through his words we will be reminded of how far we have come: "I can foresee the Negro vote becoming consistently the decisive vote in national elections." - chapter on Justice and Freedom Through his words we will be reminded of how far we haven't come: "...wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows." - chapter on Peace In one sitting, you could read this book in its entirety. As benefactors of his sacrifice, we should spare a few moments of our time to reflect on Dr. King and his enduring legacy.

When looking for some words of tribute to use at a church function, I recalled the copy of the book sitting amongst others in my home library. No better orator could have been selected than the revered civil rights leader. My presentation went off without and hitch and for that, I thank Dr. King. This collection is divided into ten sections, with notable commentary by Dr. King: 1. The Community of Man 2. Racism 3. Civil Rights 4. Justice and Freedom 5. Faith and Religion 6. Nonviolence 7. Peace 8. "I've Been to the Mountain Top" (excerpt) 9. "I Have a Dream" (excerpt) 10. Proclamation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by then-President Ronald Reagan The book begins with a foreward by King's widow, Coretta, and ends with a chronology and sources of the works printed.

After having read quite abit by and About King over the years, I would recommend this book to anyone, whether they were new to King's philosophies and ideas or a veteran of the movement he helped to create within this country and the world.